Joel D. Silverstein holds an enviable record of technical diving, diver training, and international publishing experience. His SUB AQUA magazine was one of the main voices in the wreck and technical diving industry from 1991- 1996. His relationships with the leading people in the mixed gas diving world has permitted him to learn and develop safe training techniques and procedures, and his journalistic and training skills permit him to communicate complex subjects to the diver in compelling and expert ways. Since 1988 he has completed over 4,800 dives of which over 3,000 have been exploring shipwrecks all over the world. Most notable of the sites are, the USS Monitor, USS Wilkes Barre, USS San Diego, SS Oregon, RMS Rhone, the Andrea Doria, and the SS Republic. Results of these expeditions have been the fodder for over 50 articles and over 20 presentations.

In 1993, in a cooperative effort with Diving Unlimited International Inc., Mr. Silverstein contributed to the development of the two hour training program What Recreational Divers Can Learn from Technical Divers. the program has been seen by over 10,000 divers.

In response to a growing need for a diver friendly treatment center in the NY/NJ/CT area he put together a two-year plan with International Underwater Contractors to operate the hyperbaric facility on City Island. Once opened as a treatment center in June of 1994, City Island Chamber became one of the busiest and most respected diver treatment facilities in the country. CIC spawned the decompression illness training program called, Bends is Not a Dirty Word. Mr. Silverstein authored this educational program which has become the primary program for teaching divers about decompression illness.

Joel has served on many dive training and accident prevention boards and panels as organizer, participant and keynote speaker. He has been instrumental in the development of safety and operational procedures for technical diving, has served as a consultant to the Scuba Diving Resource Group's Board members, an advisor and consultant to many equipment manufacturers on marketing and safety procedures. He has worked with Diving Unlimited International, Deep Sea Technologies Inc., Undersea Adventures Inc., Hamilton Research Ltd., and DEMA on the development of technical diving equipment and procedures. Mr. Silverstein, was at the forefront of technical dive training as early as 1990, where he developed specific training and operational methods with technical diving pioneer Capt. Billy Deans, and expedition leader Capt. Steve Bielenda. He has held instructor and instructor training ratings with NAUI as an Instructor Trainer, and Technical Workshop Director, PADI as Master Scuba Diver Trainer, SDI/TDI as an Advanced Trimix Instructor Trainer and he also holds professional credentials with ANDI, IANTD, and DAN. Since 1990 he has trained over 1500 divers to all levels of expertise.

He is a recipient of the SSI Platinum Pro 5000 Award, the Beneath the Sea Outstanding Service Award, the Eastern Dive Boat Association Outstanding Service Award, and the 1996 NAUI Outstanding Service Award, and is listed in the Who's Who of Diving. Joel is also a Fellow National of the Prestigious Explorers Club. Mr. Silverstein also hosts a weekly interactive discussion on technical diving in the America On-line scuba forum .

Joel is a prolific writer, he authors papers, publications, books, instructional manuals, marketing plans, research papers and business plans for a variety of industries.

Most recent publications include:

NAUI Nitrox: A Guide to Diving with Oxygen Enriched Air. 
1998 , Silverstein, Hamilton.

US Navy Survey of Air and Oxygen Decompression Techniques. 1999, Hamilton, Silverstein

NOAA Diving Manual 4th Edition 1999,2001 Nitrox Diving

NOAA Diving Manual 4th Edition 1999, 2001 Mixed Gas Diving

YMCA Nitrox Diver's Guide, 2001 Silverstein, Hamilton

Abyss Explorer Decompression Computer Users Guide, 2001

Abyss Explorer Regulator Uses Guide, 2001

and a new book in progress...
Scuba Diving with Mixed Gases, Hamilton, Silverstein release Winter 2001, Best Publishing.

Joel is the Vice President of Product Development and Marketing for Abysmal Diving Inc., Boulder Co. Over the past year he has taken this company from the leading decompression software company to the leading full-line technical diving equipment company. Abysmal Diving

Contact:   Joel Silverstein

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Photo Copyright 2001 Kathy Weydig Photo Communications